Approximately five meters below the tides of the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Rahgali Island in Maldives, sits the world’s first and only completely submersed restaurant: Ithaa Undersea Restaurant.

Ithaa, which means “pearl” in Dhivehi, is located just off the coast of the island and is a part of the Hilton Maldives Resort and Spa. It is comprised mostly of transparent acrylic and offers diners a 270-degree panoramic view of the reef that surrounds them. At five by nine meters long, the restaurant is designed to seat only 14 diners at a time.

Known for its crystal clear waters and vibrant coral reefs, Maldives was chosen by New Zealand based design firm, M.J. Murthy Limited, in 2004 as the prime location for this one-of-a-kind restaurant.

As diners enjoy their meals, colorful schools of fish, sharks, stingrays and other tropical creatures swim by. Each day is unpredictable and patrons can never be sure what marine life they will see outside of the restaurant walls.

Ithaa offers unique fixed lunch and dinner menus comprised of the best ingredients the Maldives has to offer. A creative fusion of Maldivian and Western cuisine, the choices range from creamed mushroom soup to Amuse Bouche. The Amuse Bouche, a particularly innovative dish, is a shot glass of salted cod and smoked eel, comfit red pepper, sweet spices, coconut foam and Osietra caviar.

Diners can expect to pay approximately $250 per head for five-course dinner below the sea.

[Ithaa]